Ling Tian stood suspended in the air, beneath his feet, the churning black sea.
His left pupil burned with golden flames, while his right pupil was as deep as an abyss. Fragments of the jade dragon sword re-coalesced in his palm, but its blade was no longer the pure white of before; it was now entirely black. At the hilt, a dark red Dragon pattern flickered faintly, subtly emitting a heart-pounding aura.
“What… what kind of power is this?”
Ling Tian lowered his head, looking at his hands.
Dark red patterns emerged in his palms, as if countless tiny Dragon shadows swam within them.
He felt the power surging within him—mighty, violent, far surpassing the Flame Dragon Power.
“Roar—!”
A Dragon roar erupted from within him, shaking the sea surface into monstrous waves.
Ling Tian suddenly awoke.
The crimson gold and pitch black in his eyes gradually faded, returning to their original color.
He took a deep breath, the violent power within him slowly subsided, and the jade dragon sword also returned to its original appearance. However, the Dragon pattern on the sword seemed even deeper, as if containing endless power.
“What exactly… happened to me?” Ling Tian murmured to himself.
Images from the illusion flashed in his mind—the blood-colored crystal, the sky-covering blood wings, and his mother’s dying whisper.
“Tian’er… live on…”
Ling Tian clenched his fists. His fingernails dug deep into his palms.
He knew that the mysterious power within him was far from ordinary, and the source of this power was likely intricately linked to the sudden annihilation of the Ling family.
He forcefully tapped his muddled head, then sat cross-legged and began to examine his body.
His left arm and right leg, which had previously been mere bones, had now completely undergone Rebirth. His turbulent Dantian had also been calmed, and his Cultivation seemed to be on the verge of a Breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.
Since that was the case… Ling Tian stood up and began to search for a suitable place for his Breakthrough.
Two days later, deep within the God Forbidden Forest.
Ling Tian found a cave, set up a silent barrier at its entrance, then found a stone platform and sat down cross-legged.
All around, there was complete silence.
Only the crisp sound of water droplets falling from the cave ceiling hitting the stone surface could be heard.
His eyes were slightly closed, his breathing even and long, and his body was enveloped by a faint crimson-gold aura.
The jade dragon sword lay horizontally across his knees, and the Dragon pattern on its blade flickered slightly with his breathing, like a sleeping giant Dragon slowly Awakening.
“Major Achievement in crystallization, Golden Core within reach…” Ling Tian’s heart filled with joy as he felt the surging True Essence rushing through his Meridians.
Breaking through to the Golden Core was a chasm on the path of immortal Cultivation.
A Crystallization Cultivator needed to break up the True Essence crystal formed in their Dantian and then re-condense it into a Golden Core to enter the Golden Core stage.
However, this process was extremely dangerous. A slight mistake could lead to the destruction of the Core and the death of the Cultivator.
Ling Tian took a deep breath and formed a hand seal.
Inside his body, the True Essence he had dispersed began to slowly gather.
Ling Tian’s Divine Sense sank into his Dantian, as if he were in a boundless ocean of True Essence. Waves surged, and each crash brought him a tearing pain.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stabilize his mind.
“Condense!”
Ling Tian let out a low roar, and the True Essence in his Dantian began to spin wildly, forming a massive vortex.
At the center of the vortex, a point of golden light gradually condensed, like a nascent star.
Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred!
The Flame Dragon Power within Ling Tian’s body suddenly went berserk!
Crimson-gold flames erupted from his Dantian, instantly engulfing his True Essence vortex.
Ling Tian’s Meridians were being scorched by the crimson flames.
Cracks began to appear densely on the surface of his skin.
Blood seeped out through the cracks, staining his clothes red.
“This is bad! The Flame Dragon Power is out of control!” Ling Tian was greatly alarmed.
He quickly circulated his Cultivation Technique, the Flame Dragon Art, trying to suppress it.
However, this power was far more violent than he had imagined, like a Vicious Beast breaking free from its shackles, rampaging through his body.
“Roar—!”
A Dragon roar echoed, shaking the cave walls, causing stones to fall. Ling Tian’s consciousness began to blur, and the scene before his eyes gradually distorted, as if he were in a sea of fire.
“Tian’er…”
In a daze, he heard his mother’s voice.
The voice was gentle and firm, like a clear spring, calming the violent flames within him.
“Mother…”
Ling Tian murmured, a flicker of clarity in his eyes.
He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of vital blood onto the jade dragon sword. The sword instantly erupted with dazzling light!
The Dragon pattern at the hilt seemed to come alive, coiling around his arm.
“jade dragon sword, help me!”
Ling Tian roared, and the jade dragon sword transformed into a golden light, merging into his Dantian.
The golden light and the Flame Dragon Power merged, forming a crimson-gold giant Dragon, circling above the True Essence vortex.
“Core Condense!”
Ling Tian formed a hand seal, and the True Essence in his body furiously poured into the center of the vortex.
The crimson-gold giant Dragon roared, spouting a golden flame from its mouth, completely igniting the True Essence vortex.
“Boom!”
In his Dantian, an earth-shattering roar erupted.
The True Essence vortex gradually solidified under the scorching golden flames, transforming into a crimson-gold Golden Core. On the surface of the Golden Core, dense Dragon patterns appeared, like a giant Dragon coiled.
“It’s done!” Ling Tian’s heart was filled with wild joy.
But before he could even let out a sigh of relief, the Golden Core suddenly trembled violently, and countless cracks appeared on its surface.
“No! The Golden Core is unstable!” Ling Tian’s face changed drastically, and he quickly circulated his Cultivation Technique, trying to stabilize it.
The cracks on the Golden Core grew more and more numerous, as if it could shatter at any moment.
“Could it be… that all my efforts will be in vain!?” A trace of unwillingness flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes.
Just then, a dark red True Essence surged from his heart, instantly enveloping the Golden Core.
“This is…”
Ling Tian felt the power of that True Essence and was shocked.
The dark red True Essence, like a giant net, firmly bound the Golden Core.
The cracks began to gradually heal, and dark red patterns appeared on the surface of the Golden Core, intertwining with the golden Dragon patterns.
“Boom!”
The Golden Core was completely formed!
Dazzling golden light erupted around Ling Tian’s body!
The cave walls were shattered, and the ceiling collapsed, revealing the brilliant starry sky.
Ling Tian slowly opened his eyes.
In his eyes, the interweaving crimson-gold and dark red light flashed and disappeared.
He felt the surging power within him, and a smile played on his lips.
“Golden Core stage… achieved!”
Several days later, somewhere in the God Forbidden Forest.
Ling Tian sat cross-legged under an ancient towering tree, his body enveloped by a faint reddish-gold aura.
The jade dragon sword floated before him, the Dragon patterns on its blade shimmering with a dark red, eerie glow.
“What exactly is that power…?” Ling Tian murmured to himself.
These past few days, he had been trying to control this power. Although progress was slow, each attempt allowed him to feel the changes in his body’s strength.
He recalled what his father had told him that night: “Tian’er, your Bloodline is extraordinary. If you Awaken a certain power in the future, you must remember to hide it and never reveal it easily.”
He was young at the time and didn’t take it to heart. Now, thinking back, his father must have foreseen the current situation.
“The annihilation of the Ling family, perhaps it truly was because of this power…”
A murderous glint flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes.
“No matter who it is, the vengeance for my clan’s destruction! I will surely exact it!”
A month later, at the border of Yunmo Prefecture.
Ling Tian stood before a dilapidated ancestral hall, holding half a blood-stained Jade Pendant in his hand.
This was the only clue he had found in the ruins of the Ling family.
On the Jade Pendant, three ancient seal characters, “Tianji Pavilion,” were faintly engraved.
“Tianji Pavilion…” Ling Tian softly chanted the name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
According to clues he had found in ancient texts, the Tianji Pavilion was the most mysterious organization in Yunmo Prefecture, specializing in collecting intelligence from the Five Realms and possessing countless secrets.
When he had sneaked back to the Ling family earlier, he had discovered traces of battle, and besides the Ling family members, there was also a residue of True Essence he had never seen before.
“The Ling family’s destruction, the Tianji Pavilion, must be inextricably linked.”
Ling Tian gripped the Jade Pendant and turned, walking towards the largest city in Yunmo Prefecture—Tianji City.
Tianji City, Tianji Pavilion Headquarters.
Ling Tian stood before a towering pagoda that reached into the clouds, looking up at the huge Talisman shimmering with golden light at the top of the pagoda.
That was the symbol of the Tianji Pavilion.
And also the mark of the most powerful force in Yunmo Prefecture.
“Stop! This is a vital area of the Tianji Pavilion, unauthorized personnel are not allowed!”
Two guards in silver armor blocked Ling Tian’s path, their long spears glinting coldly.
Ling Tian smiled slightly, flames surged in his palm, and then a crimson-gold token appeared, on which was carved a lifelike five-clawed Flame Dragon.
“Ling Tian, Young Lord of the Ling family of Lingyun City, specifically comes to visit the Tianji Pavilion Master.”
The guards took the token, examined it carefully, and their expressions changed slightly: “So it is Young Lord Ling, please wait a moment, we will go and report.”
The guards’ attitude became much more respectful, and they turned and quickly entered the pagoda.
A moment later, an old man in a black robe walked out of the pagoda, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s, scrutinizing Ling Tian up and down.
“Young Lord Ling? Didn’t the Ling family already…”
The old man hesitated, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
A flicker of pain flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes, then vanished.
He said in a deep voice: “The Ling family suffered a great calamity, and I fortunately escaped. Today, I specifically came to see the Pavilion Master, hoping to obtain some clues from the Tianji Pavilion.”
The old man was silent for a moment, then nodded: “Since that is the case, please follow me.”
Top floor of the Tianji Pavilion, a dimly lit secret chamber.
Night pearls were embedded in the surrounding walls, emitting a soft glow.
Ling Tian sat on an ancient wooden chair, opposite him was a middle-aged man in a white robe.
The man had a gaunt face and eyes as deep as the starry sky. This person was the current Tianji Pavilion Master—Tianjizi.
“I have heard about the Ling family’s matter.”
Tianjizi slowly spoke, his voice low and hoarse, “The Ling family being annihilated overnight is indeed unusual. May I ask what Young Lord Ling seeks by coming here?”
Ling Tian took out the blood-stained Jade Pendant from his bosom and gently placed it on the table.
The Jade Pendant felt warm and smooth, but the bloodstains on it were shocking.
“I found this in the ruins of the Ling family. You should be very familiar with the inscription on it. I want to know the origin of this Jade Pendant and why it appeared in my Ling family.”
Ling Tian stared intently at Tianjizi, not missing any subtle change in his expression.
Tianjizi picked up the Jade Pendant, examined it carefully, and a hint of imperceptible surprise flashed in his eyes.
“This Jade Pendant… indeed comes from the Tianji Pavilion, but it is not an item of our Pavilion.”
He put down the Jade Pendant, his tone becoming solemn.
“What do you mean?” Ling Tian frowned tightly.
Tianjizi said in a deep voice: “This Jade Pendant comes from the ‘Shadow Department’ of the Tianji Pavilion. The Shadow Department is the most secretive organization of the Tianji Pavilion, specializing in carrying out some unsavory tasks. It can be understood as the shadow of the Tianji Pavilion, or rather… an assassin organization. Even I cannot fully control all the actions of the Shadow Department.”
A cold light flashed in Ling Tian’s eyes: “So, the destruction of the Ling family was the work of the Shadow Department?!”
Tianjizi shook his head: “Although the Shadow Department acts mysteriously, they would never annihilate an entire clan for no reason. Moreover, Ling Zhan of the Ling family was the City Lord of Lingyun City. The destruction of the Ling family must be backed by a larger conspiracy, and the Shadow Department… is probably being deliberately pushed to the forefront to divert attention.”
Ling Tian clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white, his voice as cold as frost: “No matter who the opponent is, I will get to the bottom of it! The vengeance for my clan’s destruction is irreconcilable!”
Tianjizi looked at the young man before him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He pondered for a moment, then took an ancient Jade Slip from the shelf behind him and handed it to Ling Tian.
“These are some secret intelligence collected by my Tianji Pavilion over the years, which might be useful to you. However, I must warn you, investigating this matter will be extremely dangerous. A slight mistake could lead to eternal damnation.”
Ling Tian took the Jade Slip, his eyes firm and resolute: “Thank you, Pavilion Master. I will personally avenge the blood feud of the Ling family!”
Leaving the Tianji Pavilion, Ling Tian stood alone on the city wall of Tianji City, gazing at the distant horizon.
The setting sun was like blood, staining half the sky red.
He slowly took out the Jade Slip and extended his Divine Sense into it.
Instantly, a massive stream of information surged into his mind, making him feel a dizzy spell.
The Jade Slip contained some secret intelligence collected by the Tianji Pavilion in recent years, and one piece of information made his pupils contract sharply—
“The Heavenly Realm has frequently interfered in the affairs of the Five Realms in recent years, acting decisively and ruthlessly, suspected of searching for a certain… Bloodline Legacy holder…”
Ling Tian’s heart pounded violently, and his father’s words echoed in his mind: “Tian’er, your Bloodline is extraordinary…”
“Could it be… that the destruction of the Ling family was actually the work of the Heavenly Realm?!”
Ling Tian tightly gripped the Jade Slip, his fingernails digging deep into his palm, blood slowly dripping.
His eyes burned with raging fury, as if wanting to incinerate the entire firmament.
“Heavenly Realm! Even if it’s the Heavenly Realm, I will surely… overturn this heaven!!”
At this moment, Ling Tian had only one thought: improve his strength!
His master once said that people from the Heavenly Realm are born at the Nascent Soul stage.
And he, having just stepped into the Golden Core stage, the gap between them was like the difference between clouds and mud.
Even with clues, Ling Tian was by no means a reckless person. He deeply understood that trying to hit a rock with an egg was tantamount to seeking death.
“Heavenly Realm… Bloodline… strength…”
Ling Tian murmured to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
Night fell, dotted with stars.
Ling Tian walked out of Tianji City, step by step, towards the distant horizon.
His silhouette was stretched long in the moonlight, very long. Like a peerless sharp sword drawn from its sheath, its edge fully revealed, unstoppable.